Electrologist

The Florida Electrolysis Council and Florida Board of Medicine have streamlined requirements for Florida Electrologists who have met specific training and examination requirements to provide laser and light-based hair removal services.

• For licensed electrologists who completed a council-approved 320-hour combined epilator, laser, and light-based training program and passed the Florida IBEC Electrology, Laser, and IPL Exam: You are eligible to provide laser- and light-based hair removal services once you meet the additional requirements noted below. You are not required to obtain certified clinical electrologist (CCE) or certified medical electrologist (CME) credentials. You are not required to complete an additional 30-hour continuing education course in laser- and light-based hair removal services.
• For currently licensed electrologists who completed a council-approved 320-hour needle-type epilation training program and passed the old IBEC Epilator-Only Licensure Exam or the currently required Florida IBEC Electrology, Laser, and IPL Exam: You are eligible to provide laser- and light-based hair removal services once you meet the additional requirements noted below and complete the following continuing education and certification requirements. Current applicants, please see the licensing tab in the left column for testing information.
• Continuing education: A 30-hour laser- and light-based hair removal course approved by the Florida Electrolysis Council is required. Approved courses may be found using the course-search function for Florida electrologists at CEBroker continuing education.
• Certification: FInd Certified Medical Electrologist (CME) examinations for laser and light-based hair removal through the Society of Clinical and Medical Hair Removal. Once you’re a CME, you are not required to recertify, but must have official documentation of having previously been certified. If you need the CME credential, email Stephanie Gronemus.

Additional Requirements

• Direct Supervision: Electrologists who meet the laser and light-based hair removal qualifications above must operate under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician properly trained in hair removal and licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 458 (Medical Doctors), or 459, F.S. (Osteopathic Physicians). On March 11, 2021, the direct supervision requirements were updated to allow for supervision via telehealth according to the requirements of Rule 64B8-56.002, F.A.C., Equipment and Devices; Protocols for Laser and Light-Based Devices.
• Use of Devices: Once you obtain an electrologist license, you must use only the laser and light-based hair removal or reduction devices upon which you have been trained.
• Working in a Licensed Electrolysis Facility: The electrologist must ensure he or she is working in an actively licensed electrolysis facility. Verify a company holds an electrolysis facility license.
• Supervision Protocols: The supervising physician and the electrologist shall develop jointly written protocols as described in Rule 64B8-56.002(4), F.A.C., and furnish to the council office prior to beginning the practice of laser hair removal. Please carefully review and utilize the Rule and Checklist for Preparation of Electrologist-Physician Protocols to ensure your protocols are up to date with current protocol requirements.

Protocols are not needed in needle-type epilation only facilities. Electrolysis facilities performing laser and light-based hair removal the protocols are mandatory.

• Protocols must be typed up and agreed upon by both parties (electrologist and supervising physician)
• A licensed electrologist is needed to be under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor or an osteopathic physician
• The supervising physician must be either on-site or available via telehealth communication
  • Telehealth supervisor’s need to be within 150 miles of the facility
  • Supervising physician’s need to hold an active license with no discipline history
• Even though a physician’s assistant and advanced registered nurse practitioner are able to perform electrolysis, they cannot be supervisors for a electrologist.
• Protocols must be displayed in the electrologist’s working area and the supervisor must have them on hand.
• Protocols are only required for working electrologists in the facility, and are not needed if those performing electrolysis are:
  • Medical doctors
  • Osteopathic physicians
  • Physician assistants
  • Advanced registered nurse practitioner

In 2021, amendments to Rule 64B8-56.002, F.A.C., Equipment and Devices; Protocols for Laser and Light-Based Devices regarding direct supervision by telehealth became effective.

These amendments will allow Florida-licensed medical doctors and osteopathic physicians to provide direct supervision by telehealth for qualified laser and light-based hair removal (LLHR) electrologist licensees.

Any qualified LLHR electrologist who elects to receive direct supervision via telehealth, will need to carefully review the rule checklist and update the required supervisory protocols in accordance with paragraph 4 of the rule.

The updated protocols must be kept on file in the electrologist’s place of employment and a copy must be submitted to the Electrolysis Council Office by email, fax, or regular mail:

• MQA.Electrolysis@FLHealth.gov
• Fax: 850-414-6860
• Florida Electrolysis Council Office, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C05, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Qualified LLHR electrologists who choose not to receive direct supervision by telehealth, must continue to ensure that a Florida-licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician is providing direct supervision on the premises in which the laser and light-based hair removal services are being provided, in compliance with this rule.

If you have any questions regarding qualifications, email MQA.Telehealth@FLHealth.gov

Florida Statutes 

• Chapter 478, F.S., Electrolysis
• Chapter 456, F.S., Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
• Chapter 120, F.S., Administrative Procedure Act

Florida Administrative Code

• Chapter 64B8-50, F.A.C., Organization, Procedures, and General Provisions
• Chapter 64B8-51, F.A.C., Licensure of Electrologists and Electrology Facilities
• 64B8-51.006, F.A.C., Licensure and Inspection of Electrology Facilities
• Chapter 64B8-52, F.A.C., Electrolysis Council – Continuing Education
• Chapter 64B8-53, F.A.C., Electrolysis Training Programs
• Chapter 64B8-54, F.A.C., Licensure
• Chapter 64B8-55, F.A.C., Discipline and Licensure Restrictions
• Chapter 64B8-56, F.A.C., Standards

Federal Resources

• Health Information Privacy
• HIPAA Statute and Rule Information

The Department is aware that documents purportedly originating from DOH requesting information of a sensitive nature have been received by members of the public. These documents request licensees share information that may be used to commit fraud against a licensee or patient. DOH is committed to protecting the integrity of DOH licensees and consumers. The Department’s Office of Inspector General is in contact with the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate fraud perpetrated on our licensees.

Should you receive a document that appears to be from DOH, but you believe may be fraudulent, you may contact your local law enforcement agency or you may contact DOH at 850-488-0595 for instructions on how to proceed. Your cooperation and assistance is vital in protecting the continued integrity of DOH licensees and our consumers.